Two young children were rescued from their smoke-filled home this morning after a suspected arson attack.

A girl, aged five, and a three-year-old boy were carried from the house in Elizabeth Road, Halesowen, by police and fire-crews just after 1am.

A neighbour also bravely helped in the rescue, police said.

The children were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation but were not seriously hurt.

A 36-year-old man was arrested from another address in Halesowen a short while later and is being questioned on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Dudley Police Detective Inspector Gary Dring said the children were lucky to be alive.

He said: “We could easily have been dealing this morning with the tragic deaths of two young children, but thankfully they were pulled from the house before the fire was able to really take hold. They are lucky to be alive.

“Police officers arrived on the scene to find the mother of the children in the road frantically screaming that her children were inside.

“It’s believed someone deliberately set the front door alight: fire investigators have identified the door as the seat of the fire and I’d urge anyone who may have information about the attack to contact us on the 101 number.

“There would have been little activity at that time in the morning so anyone wandering around, possibly carrying a bag or items, and paying particular attention to the home in Elizabeth Road is likely to have stood out.”

Anyone with information can call Dudley Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.